Aperitivo is a rock-solid tradition in Italy, but, apparently my town scores high among other Italian cities as the town that has best aperitivo gathering crowds.

There is even a list of the top 10 places where to get an aperitivo. Places gain popularity for service, location, and quality of wine served.

What is served as aperitivo?

Almost no cocktails, beer, and lots of wine. The bubbling Prosecco is a popular choice, but also the classic white wine called Friulano

(formerly known as Tocai, but after a long legal battle against Hungary in the European Court of Justice, Italy has lost the right to use the name Tocai for one of its best-known white wines, grown in the northern regions of Friuli and Veneto.)

Snacks are served with aperitivo. Usually chips, or tiny sandwiches to go with the drinks.

In summer the Spritz is a popular choice; Spritz Bianco is white wine and mineral water, ice and a slice of lemon; but there is also the bubbly version of Spritz Bianco, which has the Prosecco instead of a classic white wine.

Most popular is the Spritz Aperol; made of Aperol and mineral water, served with ice and a slice of orange.

The hours are strictly from 11:00am to about 12:30pm, just before lunch.

And not before 5:00pm to well into late evening, 9:00-9:30 pm.

Next time a coffee–or cappuccino–to say Ciao!